Chirgilchin – Collectable
Reviewed by Sadie O., 11/21/06
Masters of real Tuvan throat singing. This oughta blow a few minds! There are apparently six different styles of throat singing, and two of these guys are top masters of all six – and display them herein. The other guys builds and plays traditional instruments. There are some stunning moments where you can hear layers of overtones in the vocals. Look inside the cover fold for one-liners on what each song’s about.
All in Tuvan, FCCs highly unlikely! I like 1 and 12 best.
1. ****Khoomeige Yoreel – 4:46
Sustained throat singing notes with tons of overtones, chants and harmonies. No instruments until almost 1:30 along. Lots of time and style changes.
2. ***Duet – 2:20
All throat singing, duet.
3. ***Eldek Kys – 1:49
uptempo gallop with stringed instrument, “normal” as well as throat singing.
4. ***Kyngyrgay-Kohn – 3:14
pretty, slightly downtempo song, again both “normal” and throat singing, some instrumentation.
5. *Lonely Man – 7:35
instrumental drone for first 45 seconds, then solo throat singing. Slow and extremely melancholy throughout.
6. *Windy Ovur – 4:30
bowed instrument, solo “normal” singing, tune quite like English folk songs. Throat singing at almost 1:30 minutes along. Very slow song.
7. ***Arty Shaanak – 3:23
stringed instruments at a canter (it’s a cowboy song), variety of vocals.
8. **Beautiful Evening – 3:11
just beautiful vocal harmonies, no instrumentation or throat singing.
9. *Karashuy – 4:47
slightly uptempo instrumentation, a lot of “normal” singing, but some of the oddest throat singing yet, as well.
10. **Igor’s Solo – 6:39
bit of instrumental drones, lots of sustained throat singing, very slow.
11. **My Melody – 6:58
midtempo stringed instruments, lots of different kinds of throat singing.
12. ****Chuguruk Aat – 2:14
uptempo instrumentation, throat singing in harmony. Suddenly goes manic!